Match Report

Stenhousemuir v Brechin City at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 05.12.20

SPFL League Two

Stenhousemuir 2 [Munro 7, McGuigan 32] Brechin City 1 Trialist LM 62]

Stenhousemuir – Martin, Hodge [Halleran 60], Watters, Munro, Grigor, Tapping, Tiffoney, Blair, Little, McGuigan [b90] and Biabi [Spence 84].

Subs not used – Erskine, Kane, McQueen, Graham, Shiels and Fairley.

Brechin City – O’Neil, McKay, Bolan [Reekie 33][b90], Trialist [LM][Coupe 78], Currie [b71], Jordan, Barron, Trialist [CP], Todd, Paton [b62] and McLevy

Subs not used – McMinn, Brown, Inglis, Cusick, Luissint and Nawrocki

Referee – Duncan Williams    Assistants – Kevin McElhinney and Ross Nelson

This was definitely another game of two halves with the Warriors looking very comfortable at half time with a two goal lead against the team sitting precariously at the bottom of the league. The fact that Brechin though almost equalised before the final whistle shows that despite their lowly position they still have spirit in the side.

The Warriors started the game well and almost scored from a corner kick in the 5^th minute when Creag Little’s header was cleared off the line. The warning was not heeded though and two minutes later Andy Munro headed a Callum Tapping corner home from close range. Ryan Watters headed just wide in the 26^th minute but it wasn’t long until the second goal came. Brechin were caught napping at a quick free kick and the final outcome was to prove costly as Botti Biabi’s cross was met by Mark McGuigan who steered the ball home.

Ryan Blair was to come closest to extending the lead in the 37^th minute when he hit a curling effort that Paddy O’Neil saved one handedly.

Thomas Halleran with almost his first touch saw a shot spilled by the keeper but collected at the second attempt and that could have turned the game as almost immediately after that effort Brechin scored at the other end. Ewan McLevy whipped in a cross from the right flank to a crowded area but it was met by a trialist who fired home. Social media later named him as Liam Motherwell though the names of the Brechin trialists were not divulged at the game.

That goal lifted the visitors and with Stenhousemuir struggling to build on their first half performance the danger signs were flashing. Stenhousemuir had been flat throughout the second period and they didn’t manage to step up the gears after this setback.

Andy Munro did have a header just over in the 78^th minute but chances were few and far between and Brechin almost equalised in the 87^th minute when player manager Michael Paton’s cross once again from the right flank was met by substitute Scott Reekie but from only eight yards out he managed to hit the ball just over the bar when it looked as if Brechin would get back on level terms.

That miss was not the end of the action though at that end of the park as McLevy who had improved as the game progressed was unlucky to see a curling effort with power go just the wrong side of the post.

The final whistle blew with the Warriors still leading and thus picked up a vital three points in a curates egg performance that was a frustrating one to say the least.